Or if there is, it wasn’t at the administrator’s request. And I think that Andy Pasztor should have done a little more digging before running his original story.
I think that all these rumors and leaks are just guerilla warfare by Ares/Constellation dead enders. And the end is growing near. If you look at the Senate Authorization language, it essentially buys into the new policy, for all intents and purposes.
Kelly,
[[[One flight to lift your 20 ton cargo to LEO
20(?) flights to lift enough fuel adn LOx to refuel the cargo craft in LEO to boost to a Lunar landnig and return to Earth surface minus cargo.
Delivery cost to Lunar surface — likely $6,000 ish per pound? Give or take a lot depending on overhead amortorization adn how long you keep this up.]]]
That is why a vehicle in the Sea Dragon class would be needed.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Dragon_%28rocket%29
Given the cost estimated this would be cargo delivery to the Moon down into the $2500 to $3000 /lb range.
For Edward: This would be in 20-30 years beyond the ILDC when private mining firms are starting to supply a significant amount of Earth’s PGM and REE from lunar resources.
But you need to have your end goals in mine before you begin your journey.